US9109880B2

Soft collision grating scale and measuring method thereof

Summary by NHIP

Soft collision grating scale

The apparatus measures targets using a fixed scale, a sliding auxiliary scale, and a moving pin that move synchronically. A spring-based buffering mechanism connects the pin ends to the auxiliary scale to offset collisions and prevent breakage.

Claim Score by NHIP

Read claim 1, the broadest

Abstract

A soft collision grating scale and measuring method thereof comprises a fixed scale, a sliding auxiliary scale slidably disposed relative to the fixed scale, and a moving pin sliding relative to the sliding auxiliary scale. The moving pin and the sliding auxiliary scale move synchronically. A buffering mechanism is disposed on the moving pin. When the moving pin sliding relative to the sliding auxiliary scale cooperates with a buffering force of the buffering mechanism, a collision between the moving pin and stopping faces of an inspected target is automatically offset to attain a soft collision effect, which prevents the moving pin from breaking to keep an normal measurement operation and increases the precision of measurement by the fact that the sliding auxiliary scale does not rebound and an offset distance caused by reversely moving the moving pin relative to the sliding auxiliary scale can be computed.

US9109880B2, drawing sheet 1 — Sheet 1 of 9

Term

5.1 yearsleft in the term

Expires 22 October 2031, including 44 days of term adjustment.

8 claims: 1 independent, 7 dependent

1
Broadest claimClaim Score 67, broad(NHIP)A soft collision grating scale comprising a fixed scale, a sliding auxiliary scale, and a moving pin;said sliding auxiliary scale being slidably disposed relative to said fixed scale;said sliding auxiliary scale and said fixed scale having respective raster scales disposed corresponding to each other;said moving pin and said sliding auxiliary scale moving synchronically;said moving pin being slidably disposed relative to said sliding auxiliary scale;said moving pin and said sliding auxiliary scale having respective reference scales disposed corresponding to each other;a buffering mechanism being provided to cooperate with said moving pin.

39 paragraphs in 5 sections, as filed

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to measuring, especially to a soft collision grating scale and measuring method thereof.

A displacement measurement of grating scale (or a grating scale for short) is a measuring and feedback device that adopts optical principles of raster. The grating scale is usually applied to lathes, processing centers, and measuring devices for conducting inspections of linear displacement or angular displacement. Signals measured and output by the grating scale are directed to the digital pulse that features in comprehensive inspection, precise examination, and prompt response. For example, the grating scale can be applied to a numerically controlled lathe for conducting inspections of the cutting tools and the workpieces. Wherein, the grating scale is utilized to observe and trace the milling error so as to offset the motion error of the cutting tools.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a common grating scale comprises a fixed scale 1 and a sliding auxiliary scale 2. The fixed scale 1 is arranged fixedly to an inspected target 3. Equidistant marks 4 are defined on the fixed scale 1. The sliding auxiliary scale 2 is slidably disposed relative to the fixed scale 1. A pin 5 is fixed to the sliding auxiliary scale 2, and reference marks 6 are arranged on the sliding auxiliary scale 2. The reference marks 6 and the equidistant marks 4 are set in accordance with each other. In measuring, the fixed scale 1 is fixed out of the inspected target 3, and the pin 5 is arranged into an indentation 7 of the inspected target 3. Moving the sliding auxiliary scale 2 concurrently motivates the pin 5, so that the pin 5 sequentially collides with a first stopping face 8 and a second stopping face 9 of the indentation 7. Thereby, when the sliding auxiliary scale 2 is moved leftward on the fixed scale 1, a first distance is acquired, and when the sliding auxiliary scale is moved rightward on the fixed scale 1, a second distance is acquired. Accordingly, the first distance and the second distance is summed and the summed result plus the diameter or width of the pin is recorded as the distance between the first stopping face 8 and the second stopping face 9.

Afore grating scale is able to measure the linear distance between two points. However, the measurement is yet insufficient and inefficient since it lacks a comprehensive application. Disadvantages of the conventional grating scale are as follows: First of all, the pin fixed and the sliding auxiliary scale move synchronically. During the measuring, the pin usually collides with the first stopping face or the second stopping face forcedly, which easily breaks the structure of the pin and influences the measurement operation. Secondly, when the pin collides with the first stopping face or the second stopping face, the sliding auxiliary scale inertially moves backward, and it causes imprecise measurement. Accordingly, it is difficult to promptly and precisely measure the inspected target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a grating scale with soft collision and a measuring method thereof for avoiding breaking the grating scale and influencing the measurement operation.

The other object of the present invention is to provide a soft collision grating scale and measuring method thereof for enhancing the measuring precision of the grating scale.

The present invention is achieved as follows:

A soft collision grating scale comprises a fixed scale, a sliding auxiliary scale, and a moving pin. The sliding auxiliary scale is slidably disposed relative to the fixed scale. The sliding auxiliary scale and the fixed scale have respective raster scales disposed corresponding to each other. The moving pin and the sliding auxiliary scale move synchronically. The moving pin is slidably disposed relative to the sliding auxiliary scale. The moving pin and the sliding auxiliary scale have respective reference scales disposed corresponding to each other. A buffering mechanism is provided to cooperate with the moving pin.

A measuring method of a soft collision grating scale as claimed in claim 1 comprises steps of:

(1) place a protruding head of the moving pin between a first stopping face and a second stopping face of an inspected target; wherein, the protruding head of the moving pin has a width L; fix the fixed scale and record an original position of the sliding auxiliary scale corresponding to the fixed scale and an original position of the moving pin corresponding to the sliding auxiliary scale;

(2) slide the sliding auxiliary scale toward the first stopping face for the moving pin to be propped against the first stopping face; measure a first distance S1 created by displacing the moving pin relative to the sliding auxiliary scale, and measure a second distance S2 by displacing the sliding auxiliary scale relative to the fixed scale;

(3) place the sliding auxiliary scale and the moving pin to the original position; slide the sliding auxiliary scale toward the second stopping face for the moving pin to be propped against the second stopping face; measure a third distance S3 by displacing the moving pin relative to the sliding auxiliary scale, and measure a fourth distance S4 by displacing the sliding auxiliary scale relative to the fixed scale; and

(4) compute a distance between the first stopping face and a second stopping face of the inspected target via a formula (S2−S1)+(S4−S3)+L.

Accordingly, the present invention has advantages as follows:

1. When the moving pin is slidably disposed relative to the sliding auxiliary scale and the buffering mechanism provides a buffering effect for the moving pin, an opposite off set is automatically caused in time of the collision between the moving pin and the first stopping face of the inspected target or between the moving pin and the second stopping face. Namely, the soft collision of the present invention substitutes for the conventional forced collision, which prevents the moving pin from breaking and extends the using life thereof. Preferably, the measurement operation can be conducted smoothly.

2. The moving pin is slidably disposed relative to the sliding auxiliary scale, and the buffering mechanism provides the buffering effect for the moving pin. Moreover, the cooperation of the raster scales and the reference scales prevents the sliding auxiliary scale from bounce after the moving pin collides with the first stopping face or the second stopping face. Specially, an offset distance is achieved by the moving pin moving backward on the sliding auxiliary scale, so that the offset distance can be measured for acquiring a more precise result so as to promote a prompt and accurate measurement.

3. The buffering mechanism includes two buffering members for the moving pin; one ends of the two buffering members are connected to the sliding auxiliary scale, and the other ends of the two buffering members are connected to two ends of the moving pin. Herein, afore structure is simple and the operation thereof is convenient. Preferably, the moving pin goes back to the original position automatically.

4. A first photoelectric member, a second photoelectric member, a counter, a storing member, and a calculator of a reading system are further provided for collecting data and processing the data so as to get a final precise measuring result. Preferably, the present invention enhances the automation, which promotes the measuring convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic view showing a conventional grating scale;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a schematic view showing the present invention in measuring;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a schematic view showing a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in measuring;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic view showing a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in measuring;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a schematic view showing a third preferred embodiment of the present invention in measuring;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a schematic view showing a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention in measuring; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a schematic view showing a circuit structure in a reading system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 to 7</figref>, the substantial structure of the present invention is shown. A soft collision grating scale of the present invention comprises a fixed scale 10, a sliding auxiliary scale 20, and a moving pin 30.

Wherein, the fixed scale 10 is fixed correspondingly to an inspected target 40. A first raster scale 11 is arranged on the fixed scale 10.

The sliding auxiliary scale 20 is slidably disposed relative to the fixed scale 10. One side of the sliding auxiliary scale 20 near the fixed scale 10 includes a second raster scale 21, and the other side of the sliding auxiliary scale 20 includes two first reference scales 22. The second raster scale 21 and the first raster scale 11 are disposed correspondingly to each other. The sliding auxiliary scale 20 collects images of the first raster scale 11 of the fixed scale 10 and combines the position of the second raster scale 21 for acquiring a result of measured position.

The moving pin 30 and the sliding auxiliary scale 20 move synchronically. The moving pin 30 is slidably disposed relative to the sliding auxiliary scale 20. The moving pin 30 is formed in to a T-shape and includes a base 31 and a head 32 extended outward from the base 31. A second reference scale 301 is disposed on the base 31 of the moving pin 30. The second reference scale 301 is disposed correspondingly to the first reference scales 22. The second reference scale 301 is located between two first reference scales 22. The second reference scale 301 is disposed in the middle of the two first reference scales 22 under an original position. The head 32 protrudes into an indentation 401 of the inspected target 40, between a first stopping face 41 and a second stopping face 42 of the indentation 401. The moving pin 30 collects images of the first reference scales 22 on the sliding auxiliary scale and combines the position of the second reference scale 301 for acquiring a result of measured position.

A buffering mechanism 50 is arranged for the moving pin 30. The buffering mechanism 50 allows a soft collision to be achieved between the moving pin 30 and the first stopping face 41 or the second stopping face 42, so that the moving pin 30 avoids breaking. The buffering mechanism 50 is disposed between the moving pin 30 and the sliding auxiliary scale 20. The buffering mechanism 50 includes two buffering members 51. The two buffering members 51 are respectively arranged out of two ends of the moving pin 30. One ends of the buffering members 51 are connected to the sliding auxiliary scale 20, and the other ends of the buffering members 51 are connected to two ends of the moving pin 30, respectively. In this embodiment, the buffering members 51 are directed to springs.

The soft collision grating scale further comprises a reading system 60, and the reading system 60 has a first photoelectric member 61, a second photoelectric member 62, a counter 63, a storing member 64, and a calculator 65. The first raster scale 11 and the second raster scale 21 are connected to the first photoelectric member 61, and the first photoelectric member 61 is connected to the counter 63. The first reference scales 22 and the second reference scale 301 are connected to the second photoelectric member 62, and the second photoelectric member 62 and the counter 63 are connected to the storing member 64. The storing member 64 temporarily stores data, and the storing member 64 is connected to the calculator 65. Accordingly, the calculator 65 processes the data in the storing member 64 so as to achieve a final measured result.

The measuring method of the present invention is as follows:

First of all, referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, a protruding head or the head 32 of the moving pin is arranged between the first stopping face 41 and the second stopping face 42 of the inspected target 40. Wherein, the head 32 of the moving pin 30 has a width L. Store the width data L in the storing member 64 and then fix the fixed scale 10 toward the inspected target 40. Thence, record an original position of the sliding auxiliary scale 20 corresponding to the fixed scale 20 and an original position of the moving pin 30 corresponding to the sliding auxiliary scale 20.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the sliding auxiliary scale 20 slides toward the first stopping face 41, and the moving pin 30 is synchronically motivated by the sliding auxiliary scale 20, so that the head 32 of the moving pin 30 is able to collide with the first stopping face 41.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, when the sliding auxiliary scale 20 decelerates and stops, the moving pin 30 slides leftward on the sliding auxiliary scale 20 so as to compress the left buffering member 51 but stretch the right buffering member 51. Accordingly, when the sliding auxiliary scale 20 is moved until the left first reference scale 22 confronts the second reference scale 301 on the moving pin 30, the second photoelectric member 62 is triggered to generate a/b phase signals. Wherein, one of the two phase signals is selected, and a first distance S1 that the moving pin 30 is displaced on the sliding auxiliary scale 20 is read out. The read data are stored in the storing member 64. In the meantime, the first photoelectric member 61 is also triggered to generate the a/b phase signals, and the two phase signals are concurrently input to the counter 63. Moreover, a second distance S2 that the sliding auxiliary scale 20 is displaced on the fixed scale 10 is further read out by the counter 63. The read data are stored in the storing member 64.

Thence, the sliding auxiliary scale 20 and the moving pin 30 are moved back to the original position, and the sliding auxiliary scale 20 is slid toward the second stopping face 42. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the moving pin 30 is synchronically motivated by the sliding auxiliary scale 20, so that the head 32 of the moving pin 30 is able to collide with the second stopping face 42.

Continuingly, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the sliding auxiliary scale 20 decelerates and stops, and the moving pin 30 moves rightward on the sliding auxiliary scale 20. Whereby, the right buffering member 51 compresses, but the left buffering member 51 stretches. When the sliding auxiliary scale 20 moves until the right first reference scale 22 confronts the second reference scale 301 on the moving pin 30, the second photoelectric member 62 is triggered to generate the a/b phase signals. One of the phase signals is selected, and a third distance S3 that the moving pin 30 is displaced on the sliding auxiliary scale 20 is read out. The read data are stored in the storing member 64. In the meantime, the first photoelectric member 61 is also triggered to generate the a/b phase signals, and the two phase signals are concurrently input to the counter 63. Moreover, a fourth distance S4 that the sliding auxiliary scale 20 is displaced on the fixed scale 10 is further read out by the counter 63. The read data are stored in the storing member 64.

Subsequently, the calculator 65 processes the data in the storing member 64 and acquires the distance between the first stopping face 41 and the second stopping face 42 via a formula (S2−S1)+(S4−S3)+L.

Especially, the present invention is able to measure the linear distance between any two points but is not limited to measure the distance between two stopping faces of an indentation.

Contents5

Every citation, both ways

Citations
Document	Relation	Office	Cited during
CN104482871A	Cited by	China	Search report
US5172485A	Cites	United States of America	Search report
US5760392A	Cites	United States of America	Search report
US5774219A	Cites	United States of America	Search report
US6342697B1	Cites	United States of America	Search report
US6578283B2	Cites	United States of America	Search report

3 members in 2 offices

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim

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Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
2011079472	China	W	2011-09-08
2011079472	China	W	2011-09-08
PCTCN2011079472	–	–	–
WO2011CN79472	–	–	–

Members3

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Document	Office	Kind
WO2013033902A1	World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	A1	2013-03-14
US2014173924A1	United States of America	A1	2014-06-26
US9109880B2This record	United States of America	B2	2015-08-18

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2023-02-15	Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Yr, Small EntityM2552	M2552
2018-11-27	Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small EntityM2551	M2551
2015-08-18	Recordation of Patent Grant MailedPGM/	PGM/
2015-08-18	Patent Issue Date Used in PTA CalculationAllowedPTAC	PTAC
2015-07-29	Issue Notification MailedAllowedWPIR	WPIR
2015-07-16	Dispatch to FDCD1935	D1935
2015-07-16	Application Is Considered Ready for IssuePILS	PILS
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2015-06-23	Mail Notice of AllowanceAllowedMN/=.	MN/=.
2015-06-22	Notice of Allowance Data Verification CompletedAllowedN/=.	N/=.
2015-05-18	Reasons for AllowanceEX.R	EX.R
2014-12-18	Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK	DOCK
2014-11-12	Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK	DOCK
2014-06-27	PG-Pub Issue NotificationPG-ISSUE	PG-ISSUE
2014-04-15	Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK	DOCK
2014-03-25	FITF set to NO - revise initial settingFTFI	FTFI
2014-03-25	Application Is Now CompleteCOMP	COMP
2014-03-25	Application Dispatched from OIPEOIPE	OIPE
2014-03-20	Sent to Classification ContractorPGPC	PGPC
2014-03-20	Filing ReceiptFLRCPT.O	FLRCPT.O
2014-03-20	Notice of DO/EO Acceptance MailedM903	M903
2014-03-17	Applicant Has Filed a Verified Statement of Small Entity Status in Compliance with 37 CFR 1.27SMAL	SMAL
2014-03-08	371 Completion Date371COMP	371COMP
2013-03-21	Cleared by OIPE CSRL194	L194
2013-03-15	Patent Term Adjustment - Ready for ExaminationPTA.RFE	PTA.RFE
2013-03-15	Initial Exam Team nnIEXX	IEXX

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Soft collision grating scale and measuring method thereof

Summary by NHIP

Claim Score by NHIP

Abstract